Category: General

8,251 tonnes of early geothermal crops were exported from the governorate of Gabes up until late January 2024, compared with only 6,000 tonnes the previous season. The export of agricultural produce from geothermal greenhouses, notably tomatoes, is proceeding under optimum conditions, an official from the Regional Authority for Commissariat for Agricultural Development (CRDA) told TAP, pointing out that this production is generated from 162 hectares of greenhouses. According to CRDA estimates, the annual production of early vegetables is expected to reach nearly 25,000 tonnes, up on last year's figure of 24,000 tonnes. The development of the early fruit and vegetables sector in Gabes, with projects centred in El Hamma, El Hamma-Ouest and El Hicha (Ouedhref), is due to the use of modern technologies and the ability of certain projects to ensure production throughout the seasons, he explained. Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse WINDHOEK: The example set by late President Hage Geingob, who made his health status public, serves to encourage Namibians to seek healthcare on time, which may lead to early detection of illness and treatment. Before his untimely death on 04 February 2024, the late president announced on 24 January that cancerous cells were detected in his body following a biopsy. This, according to Executive Director of the Health and Social Services Ministry, Ben Nangombe, demonstrates that Geingob was a champion of the wellbeing of the Namibian people. 'He led by example; as we remember, he was not shy about promoting the importance of how Namibians must seek healthcare on time so that if there are ailments in their bodies, they are detected early. And he was courageous enough to share the status of his health condition with the Namibian people,' Nangombe said in an interview with Nampa. By making his diagnosis public, Nangombe said it underscores Geingob's selflessness, as he encouraged others to get diagnosed early because prevention is better than cure. 'We commend him for that; that is the enduring and indelible legacy that President Geingob leaves behind. It is a great contribution to public health not only in Namibia but also in Africa and on a global scale,' said Nangombe. The former president's declaration of his health status and his subsequent trip for cancer treatment overseas prompted calls to strengthen public health institutions to improve access to healthcare. Nangombe stated that the Health Ministry has begun implementing recommendations in the Health Systems Strengthening Report, which was approved by Geingob's Cabinet. President Geingob launched the comprehensive five-year plan worth N.dollars 16 billion in November 2023 to enhance the country's public health system. As part of the implementation process, which is done in phases, Nangombe said the ministry has started with the construction of the 500-bed Windhoek district hospital. The plan that was conducted in 2022 considered the availability of human resources, pharmaceutical and clinical supplies, medical equipment, and the general administration of the public healthcare system. In 2018, Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila launched the national strategy on non-communicable diseases, which informed the ministry how to deal with diseases like cancer and hypertension, while it also seeks to raise awareness by encouraging Namibians to go for early testing. He said the oncology centre at the Windhoek Central Hospital has state-of-the-art equipment, such as a computed tomography scanner, to detect cancer and can be used to set up a treatment plan for the patients. In addition, the ministry has ordered a new Cobalt-60 from Canada to be installed in the chemotherapy section next month. The machine used for radiation therapy will replace the older one that has reached its lifespan. 'The example set by President Geingob in terms of the importance of early detection has been tremendous. It encourages others to find the courage and strength to get te sted so that they can be treated,' said Nangombe. The technologies are available to the Namibian people free of charge. 'Even where we have to refer State patients to private health facilities, the State carries the cost. So it is up to the people to come forward and get tested,' Nangombe added. Source: The Namibia Press Agency

ustainable Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) infrastructure remains a major challenge for many communities and public healthcare facilities in the Bawku West District of the Upper East Region. Many communities, healthcare and educational facilities markets and households continue to face limited access to sustainable potable water supply, and sanitation facilities such as toilets, incinerators, and latrines. The challenges did not only place a burden on rural communities trekking for long distances in search of water but particularly posed threats to the ability of healthcare facilities in the areas to provide quality health services without WASH-related challenges. This came to light at a community-duty bearer forum at Zebilla, organised by WaterAid Ghana, a WASH-focused organisation, as part of the implementation of the Enhancing WASH (En-WASH) project rolled out in collaboration with Global communities. The forum was aimed at creating a platform for the communities to engage with the duty bearers in cluding the District Assembly, to identify challenges facing their communities, especially around access to WASH and urged the Assemblies to prioritise them. Mr Ezekiel Atubiga, the Secretary of the Boya Community Health Management Committee, explained that the Community-based Health Planning Services (CHPS) compound in the area did not have a toilet for clients and the borehole meant for the facility was not mechanised so its use was limited. He said the issue posed serious challenges to the residents, especially pregnant and lactating mothers who visited the facility to access various services and appealed to the Bawku West District for assistance. 'Apart from that, the facility needs expansion because there are several units without offices creating overcrowding and we will be happy if that is looked at. 'Already, we have initiated a building project in support of that through community fundraising but we need support to complete it,' he said. Mr Ayaaba Mohammed, the Secretary of the Zongoire Communit y Health Management Committee, indicated that the health facility in the area did not have potable water, making disease prevention and control difficult for health workers. He said many households in the community did not have latrines, compelling residents to defecate in the open and appealed for support to help vulnerable households build latrines. Ms Molly Dasoberi Maalinuo, Project Assistant, WaterAid Ghana, noted that the En-WASH project aimed to facilitate access to and use of sustainable water, sanitation, and hygiene services and products in target districts by employing a systems-strengthening approach. The beneficiary districts are Binduri, Bawku West, Garu, and Tempane. 'One of the objectives is to increase the use of sustainable, equitable, quality, district-wide WASH services in communities and health care facilities (HCF) and adopt sustainable district-wide WASH practices in households, communities, and Health Care Facilities,' she said. She explained that through the project, community ad vocacy teams had been formed and their capacities built to liaise with community members to identify WASH-related challenges and demand enhanced infrastructure and services from the Assemblies. Mr Alhassan Ahmed, the Bawku West District Coordinating Director, commended WaterAid Ghana for facilitating the engagement and noted that it had helped the Assembly to be aware of many of the challenges facing the communities especially those in the hard-to-reach areas. 'The Assembly is constrained with resources, but we assure you that some of these challenges will be considered in our next planning process,' he said. Source: Ghana News Agency

NOMTSOUB: The Opawa Junior Secondary School (JSS) in Tsumeb on Wednesday held a memorial service in honor of the late President Hage Geingob, who had served as a teacher there before going into exile. The school's principal, Lameck Masule at the event said the teaching and learning activities of the school were cancelled on Wednesday in order to dedicate the day to Geingob's legacy. Masule said the late president was a teacher at the school for upper primary in 1962. 'The president also taught music to the learners in grade one until grade ssix that same year,' he said. The teachers and learners gathered in their school hall on Wednesday, where several speeches, songs and emotional stories from Geingob's former learners, political followers and religious leaders were shared. Two of Geingob's former learners who spoke at the event are 69-year-old Betty Kaula and the 70-year-old Manuel Uiseb. The two also sang one of Geingob's favorite songs he taught them in 1962. Former Deputy Minister of Information a nd Communication Technology, Engel Nawatiseb, as well as the Tsumeb Constituency Councillor, Gottlieb Ndjendjela were also present at the memorial service. Nawatiseb told the gathering that in November 2014 Geingob last visited Opawa JSS to remember his youthful days at the school where he was a prominent teacher. The school in 2024 has a total of 671 learners and 24 teachers including the school principal. The gathering also shared stories on how generous Geingob was, saying he even purchased a Toyota Hilux 2.0 single cab for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in the Republic of Namibia's Exodus ll Parish church at Tsumeb. 'The vehicle is still operational and it often serves the church as a means of transport for its members,' said Dean Frans Nawatiseb at the event. Geingob was a member of the church, he said. Source: The Namibia Press Agency

Mr Dela Gadzanku, Eastern, Volta and Oti President of the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), has indicated progress in plans towards establishing a chocolate factory in the Volta Region. Feasibility studies are underway to identify potential locations for the factory, while talks with some investors on the African Continent to invest in the project. Mr Gadzanku said this when the AGI and its partners presented chocolates to some pupils in the Ho Municipality. The partners included the Volta Regional Coordinating Council and the Volta Chapter of the Ghana Journalists Association. They also gave some exercise books to the pupils of the Avee R.C. Primary and Junior High Schools and Klefe-Dome E. P. Basic School. Mr Gadzanku said the region deserved a chocolate factory as a cocoa producer to add value to the product and enhance its competitiveness on the market. When built it would fall under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), he said. Touching on the presentation of the chocolates, Mr G adzanku said it was a decision taken after the Volta Fair to sustain the consumption of cocoa products among the pupils. Dr Archibald Yao Letsa, the Volta Regional Minister, who led the team, highlighted the importance of consuming products made in Ghana. 'The gesture is to show the pupils affection as the nation celebrates this year's Chocolate Day and to inspire them to concentrate on their studies,' he said. The Minister emphasised the importance of the day in promoting development and exporting the nation's premium chocolate to other countries. He advised the youth to avoid hard drugs, which would wreck their future and impede their development. Source: Ghana News Agency

The Adu-Mante Foundation, under the Focus One Group Limited has donated an array of essential items to inmates of Sekondi Prisons to put a smile on their faces in this month of love. The gesture had become an annual tradition by the company to spread love and alleviate the hardships faced by those within the prison walls. Mrs Evelyn Adu-Mante, Director of Focus One Distribution and wife of Kwame Adu-Mante, the CEO of Focus One said the gesture exemplified the true spirit of Valentine's Day, 'and for over 15 years, we have held on to this noble course'. The Brand distributed cartons of drinks, food packs, water, and other essentials to some 800 inmates and a cash donation of 20,000 Ghana cedis to aid in the construction of an infirmary within the prison premises, to meet their healthcare needs. Mrs Adu-Mante said, 'As the world celebrates the season of love today, our station, Spice FM is also 11 years and so, gives us much joy to share our happiness and gratitude to God with our brothers and sisters in th e Sekondi Prisons.' The Deputy Director of the Sekondi Prisons, Mr Abraham Allotey, received the donations on behalf of the inmates and acknowledged the profound impact the gesture would have on their lives. 'For the love that you have shown us here today on Val's Day, we are here, and the inmates would like to say a very big thank you. We pray that this donation will go a long way to solving and addressing some of the pressing issues in here.' Despite the numerous obstacles, including issues with feeding and overcrowding, Mr. Allotey remained optimistic and hopeful that continued support from benevolent organizations and the government would improve the lives of inmates. He further urged the public to adopt an open-minded approach towards reintegrating former inmates into society, emphasizing the importance of acceptance and support upon their release, ' I'm pleading with families at home not to discriminate but have a clean mentality of welcoming the inmates when they come out.' Source: Ghana News Age ncy